Claimed ‘top secret’ directives on nuclear deal coverage sent to Iranian media

According to BBC Persian:

The Iranian authorities have ordered the media not to criticise the recent nuclear agreement with world powers, it has emerged.

A top secret document sent to newspaper editors has surfaced on the internet.

Issued by the ministry in charge of the press, the two-page document faxed to media organisations relays directives from Iran's Supreme National Security Council. It says editors should praise the deal and the negotiating team.

COMMENTARY: There is a long history of alleged official documents later determined to be forgeries-- recall the Makhmalbaf-Satrapi “leaked government document" of 2009. This latest claim has yet to be authenticated.

The BBC Persian account as rendered possesses a serious flaw. It seems incredible that “top secret” level documents were sent by fax to media organizations! Perhaps BBC Persian meant "confidential" and not "top secret" level of documents.

It could turn out that a list of guidelines or directives on media presentations regarding the nuclear agreement have been sent, but the evidence requires scrutinizing.

If authentic, this can be taken as a positive indication that SNSC Secretary Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani is indeed tabling JCPOA with its assessment to be provided to Iran's relevant branches of  government, in parallel to current deliberations at U.S. Congress.

Iranian Officials Express Support for Abadi’s Nomination as Iraq PM

Shamkhani Congratulates Abadi - Zarif Calls for Speedy Formation of New Government

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS), Brig. Gen. Ali Shamkhani, today congratulated Haider al-Abadi for becoming the new Iraqi prime minister, Tasnim news agency reported. His congratulatory message to Abadi broke a day of silence on the nomination by the Iranian officials.

Shamkhani, who also serves as Ayatollah Khamenei’s representative at SCNS, made the remarks at the annual gathering of Iranian ambassadors in Tehran on Tuesday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports the constitution procedure by which the new Iraqi prime minister has been selected,” Shamkhani said. (Tasnim, 12 August)

Tasnim quoted Shamkhani as congratulating Prime Minister-designate Abadi on his selection and extending his congratulatory message to Iraq’s Shia Marjaia and Iraqi people.

The news agency also quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as calling for timely formation of a new government under Abadi’s leadership. Zarif made the comments during a phone conversation with his Italian counterpart on Tuesday.

The Iranian media on Monday had highlighted Maliki’s defiance for not being asked to serve a third term. But today the tone changed. Mehr News Agency carried the news of Abadi’s request for international support against the Islamic State, referring to him as Prime Minister-designate. I

Today, U.S. officials also expressed readiness to expand military and political support for Iraq when Abadi assumes the duties of prime minister and leads an inclusive, multi-sectarian government.

The United States “is prepared to intensify its security cooperation,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. (The New York Times, 12 August)

“We are prepared to consider additional political, military and security options as Iraq starts to build a new government,” added Secretary of State John.

Kerry and Hagel were in Sydney on Tuesday for signing the force posture agreement that provides for the rotation of U.S. Marines and Air Force personnel in northeast Australia.

UPDATE: Saudi King Abdullah on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minster-designate Haider al-Abadi on his nomination to form the new Iraqi government, Saudi state news agency announced.

File photo: Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, Brig. Gen. Ali Shamkhani (Tasnim)

Kayhan, Other Media Warn of Public Backlash Over New Wave of Price Hikes

Iran’s influential conservative newspaper Kayhan today joined other Iranian media in warning that a new wave of price hikes in recent days could stir discontent less than two months before presidential elections. Kayhan’s banner headline on its first page today reads, Race between public and private sectors to raise prices.

The media have also been critical of officials in handling the country’s economy in face of sanctions. Kayhan generally supports the official policies.

Prices of staples such as cooking oil, chicken and red meat have jumped up to 60 percent in recent days after authorities increased the special exchange rate for importers. Food importers now pay 24,500 rials for $1, nearly double from the special 12,260 rate they paid before.

Photo: Kayhan’s first page, 22 April 2013. Banner headline reads, Race between public and private sectors to raise prices. (Kayhan) 

Guardian Hosts Tehran Bureau

Tehran Bureau, an independent network of Iran correspondents, joins Guardian to provide in-depth coverage of Iran.

Tehran Bureau became a major source of information on Iran during the disputed 2009 presidential election. With new presidential election in June, the expanding international sanctions, and the continued presence of the threat of a military conflict, the coverage of Iran finds particular importance.

The Guardian already hosts an Iran blog by Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Julian Borger's Global Security blog, and Ian Black's On the Middle East web column. And the Bureau will now be part of its broad coverage of Iran and the region.

“I launched Tehran Bureau to provide a platform for young Iranians and their stories, and to bring unvarnished and uncensored reports to readers around the world,” said Kelly Golnoush Niknejad, the editor-in-chief of Tehran Bureau. “We have been able to cover Iran independently, without trying to fill a policy prescription like the thinktanks do, and this resonates with Iranians in Iran. I am thrilled that we will continue to do so with the Guardian.” (The Guardian, 13 January)

Uskowi on Iran extends its warmest congratulations to Tehran Bureau and its editor-in-chief Kelly Golnoush Niknejad and to the Guardian on their new venture and wishes them success for many years to come.